The Myths of Romance...
When I decided to get serious about writing a while back, I did not read
romance. I certainly did not write romance. Chicks flouncing about with big
hair and bigger dresses, waiting on someone to rescue them, did not interest
me. Nor did Fabio. I did, however, want to have a romantic relationship central
to my storyline. And I demanded a happy ending. Call me an emotional coward
Robert McKee, I don’t care. I want my damn happy ending. I make no apologies.
In the interests of getting a clue as to what I was about, I attended workshops.
The first was a writing sex scenes workshop with the wonderful Louise Cusack and
run by the QWC. It was Louise who encouraged me to join Romance Writers of
Australia. I also met my now bestie writing buddy, Babette, who was likewise a
member of RWA. Various romance books were discussed. I thought, what the
heck... I’ll give one a go.
I’d read a few Anita Blake books by Laurell K Hamilton but I didn’t classify
that as romance. Not really. The first romance I read was ‘Ice Blue’ by Anne
Stuart. If you haven’t read the book, then you should. Anne Stuart writes stories
that are tense, dark, fast-paced and fascinating. Next I read a Lauren Dane, one of the Chase
Brothers series, followed by Denise Rossetti’s ‘Gift of the Goddess’. I
discovered Loose Id, Ellora’s Cave and Samhain and my VISA bill was never the
same.
Historical? No, I don’t like historical romance. Only contemporary or
paranormal thanks. Except then I met Anna Campbell at something and she was so darn
nice I figured I’d give ‘Claiming the Courtesan’ a go. I sat up till two in the
morning, unable to put it down.
The point here, if there is a point, is not to base your opinions on
some misguided notions of the way things were way back when. The 80’s are long
gone, baby. Romance spans a wide array of styles and subjects. Romance outsells
every other type of book out there, in digital or print. There’s a reason for
that. Life is about relationships. Hope never goes out of fashion. All you need
is love... Sorry. I’ve gone too far. But you get the point. Open your mind. Pick up a book.
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